VIRGINIA UPL OPINION 80

It is not the unauthorized practice of law for a real estate company to charge a fee for the preparation of a certificate of satisfaction to be executed by a mortgage company. A certificate of satisfaction is similar to a “certificate of release??? which a non-lawyer may prepare rather than a “deed of release??? which a non-lawyer may not prepare. Furthermore, an escrow and title company may charge a “release fee??? or a “closing fee??? so long as these fees are not charged for the preparation of legal instruments or the provision of legal services. [UPC 6-7]